News

PETALING JAYA: The Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim) has alleged that it wasn't able to verify cosmetics entrepreneur Nur Sajat's (pic) real gender due to interference by a "third party".

"There is an interference by a 'third party' at the moment," Jakim's family, social and community development division deputy director Dr Mohd Izwan Yusof told The Star's Malay-language portal mStar Online.

In January, Mohd Izlan said the agency had agreed to officially verify Nur Sajat's gender through several procedures, adding that the process would take at least a month.

Mohd Izwan declined to divulge more details when quizzed further about the interference by the "third party".

"We will explain later. But at the moment, there is an obstruction," he said.

Mohd Izwan, who is also an expert in handling lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) issues in Jakim, said that he is committed to verifying Nur Sajat's real gender to clear up questions raised by the public.

"We will try our best to convince Nur Sajat to go through these procedures. We hope to adhere to what was agreed upon in our previous meeting," he said, referring to the one-hour meeting with Nur Sajat which took place in January at Wisma Nur Sajat in Shah Alam.

mStar Online has attempted to contact Nur Sajat and is still waiting for a response over the matter.

Mohd Izwan also denied claims by a blogger on Facebook that a female officer from Jakim had verified Sajat's real gender.

"Gender identity verification can only be done by a certified specialist doctor," he said.

Attempts by Jakim to verify Nur Sajat's gender came after controversial blogger Papagomo claimed that the cosmetics entrepreneur was a transgender.